Gender equality critical to Africa’s development

Lazarus Sauti

G

ender equality is a basic human right that entails equal opportunities for men and women in all facets of life, be it political, social economical and developmental.

It is a fundamental condition for the full enjoyment of human rights by women and men and is critical for the development of the African continent.

For development to reach its maturity stage, African women should be empowered and entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear.

Ultimately, gender equality is an essential tool for advancing development and reducing poverty in the African region.

This is so because gender equality empowers girls and women and empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of their whole families, communities and to improved prospects for the next generation.

The importance of gender equality is even underscored by its inclusion as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals; and gender equality is acknowledged as being a key to achieving the other seven goals. The inclusion of gender equality as one of the eight MDGs is a confirmation that it is critical to Africa’s development and it is a proof that it should be prioritised.

As a result, participation and decision-making roles of women are critical to sustainable development processes and governance at local, national and international levels, where they can be effective agents of change.

However, women’s lack of or limited access to resources, such as land, clean water and affordable energy, hinders their full participation in the development of the African economy.

Thus, equal access to resources, identical access to education, training and capacity development hold the key to the empowerment and improved livelihoods of women and girls.

To recognise the importance of gender mainstreaming, African leaders should ensure that women and girls have equal opportunities to resources and equal opportunities in education and training, in particular in areas such as science and technology where they lag behind men and boys.

This would allow women to play a stronger role in research and development and to contribute immensely to the development of the African continent.

Furthermore, measures need to be taken to ensure that women participate fully in the discourse on economic development and social progress.

Gender writer, Mandy Kanyemba believes that African governments should speed up efforts to press forward gender equality.

She writes, “Today, governments should accelerate efforts to advance equality and promote women’s advancement.”

Kanyemba added: “I truly believe that if we come together every age and every creed, we will be able to stop the vicious circle of gender stereotypes and degradation.

“If we learn to love and respect each other based on internal qualities such as compassion and understanding and pay less attention to gender, we will be able to live better lives.”

To achieve more, articulate gender issues and preach the gospel of gender equality, political leaders and stakeholders in the education and gender sectors should design teaching materials so as to eradicate all forms of gender discrimination.

Gender Analyst, Violet Nkathazo, says political leaders should implement gender policies so as to address challenges posed on women and men.

She said: “Political leaders in Africa are opinion leaders. Therefore, they should speak on support of gender equality to influence public opinion.”

Since political will is a key factor for success, African governments should take the lead in adopting and implementing gender equality frameworks, policies, strategies and programmes, with civil society and the private sector as important partners. These frameworks need to be supported by long-term financial provisions.

Nkathazo added: “African leaders should institute laws that promote gender equality and at the same time mainstreaming gender issues in society and ensuring women’s rights.”

Furthermore, African leaders should assess the progress in the implementation of national and international agreements on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the context of continental development.

Political leaders should identify gaps and renew commitments to action in gender-responsive sustainable development processes, institutional frameworks and finance mechanisms and to women’s participation in decision-making at all levels.

It is also crucial for Africa and her citizenry to note that gender equality is more than a goal in itself and it should be harnessed for development.

Former UN Secretary General, Koffi Annan once said: “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself.

It is a pre-condition for meeting the challenges of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.”

Consequently, Africa should embrace gender equality to ensure that all strategies and programmes contribute to reducing gender gaps that impede development and progress.